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Ballack injury doubts linger on for Germany

BERLIN (AFP) - Germany captain Michael Ballack sat out training again on Tuesday as doubts grow whether the Chelsea star will be fit for his country in their World Cup qualifier against Wales on Wednesday.

Ballack scored a first-half goal in the 2-1 win over Russia in Dortmund on Saturday but damaged his left calf late in the game and missed training with the German squad in Dusseldorf on both Monday and Tuesday.

"Michael is in the hands of the team's doctors and physios, we are monitoring his situation on an hour-by-hour basis," said Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff ahead of the game in Moenchengladbach.

"He is one of our central figures and we are doing all we can to get him fit."

Germany are top of Group Four with seven points while Wales are second in the group with six points from two wins and a defeat.